Deuteronomy 28:35

KJV

The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} shall smite {H5221} thee in the knees {H1290}, and in the legs {H7785}, with a sore {H7451} botch {H7822} that cannot {H3201} be healed {H7495}, from the sole {H3709} of thy foot {H7272} unto the top of thy head {H6936}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI will strike you down in the knees and legs with painful and incurable boils; they will spread from the sole of your foot to the crown of your head.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD will afflict you with painful, incurable boils on your knees and thighs, from the soles of your feet to the top of your head.

American Standard Version

Jehovah will smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore boil, whereof thou canst not be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the crown of thy head.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:35 delivers a severe warning of physical affliction as a consequence of covenant disobedience. It describes an incurable, debilitating skin disease, a "sore botch," that would afflict the unfaithful Israelite from head to toe. This specific curse underscores the comprehensive and inescapable nature of divine judgment, emphasizing God's absolute holiness and the dire repercussions for breaking the sacred covenant established at Sinai.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the climactic covenant renewal ceremony in [Deuteronomy chapter 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Moses, standing on the plains of Moab, delivers his final, impassioned address to the new generation of Israelites on the cusp of entering the Promised Land. The chapter is meticulously structured as a covenant document, beginning with twelve verses outlining abundant blessings for obedience ([Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1-14 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience")), followed by an extensive and terrifying list of curses for disobedience ([Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")). Verse 35 falls squarely within this latter, longer section, specifically detailing a physical malady among a litany of curses encompassing economic ruin, military defeat, psychological torment, and societal collapse. Its placement contributes to the overwhelming sense of dread associated with covenant infidelity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Deuteronomy was delivered just before Israel's entry into Canaan, a time when ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties were common. These treaties typically included stipulations, blessings for adherence, and curses for violation. Moses's discourse mirrors this structure, framing the relationship between Yahweh and Israel as a solemn covenant. The curses, including severe physical ailments, were not arbitrary but reflected common afflictions of the time, often perceived as divine judgment. The emphasis on "the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head" signifies a complete, all-encompassing affliction, a concept understood in a culture where disease was often linked to spiritual standing. The public recitation of these blessings and curses served as a powerful deterrent and a constant reminder of their unique relationship with God.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 28:35 powerfully reinforces several overarching themes within the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament narrative. The most prominent is the theme of **Divine Retribution and Covenant Consequences**, illustrating God's unwavering justice in punishing disobedience. This specific curse highlights the **Severity and Inescapability of Judgment**, portraying a debilitating affliction that leaves no part of the body untouched and no hope of human remedy. Furthermore, it underscores the paramount importance of **Covenant Faithfulness**, serving as a stark warning designed to motivate Israel towards wholehearted obedience to the Mosaic Law. Ultimately, the passage, like the entire chapter, reveals God's **Holiness and Righteousness**, demonstrating that He is not indifferent to sin but actively upholds His covenant standards, demanding a reverent and obedient walk from His chosen people, as seen throughout the warnings in [the book of Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy "The Book of Deuteronomy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh_):** The divine name, Yahweh, emphasizes that this judgment is not random but a direct, personal act of the covenant God of Israel. It underscores His sovereignty, justice, and active involvement in the consequences of covenant disobedience, highlighting that the affliction is a deliberate divine act rather than a natural occurrence.
* **Smite (Hebrew, _nâkâh_):** This verb signifies a forceful, decisive blow or strike, often with destructive intent. In this context, it emphasizes the direct, active, and personal involvement of "The LORD" (Yahweh) in inflicting the judgment. It is not a passive consequence but an intentional act of divine retribution, underscoring God's sovereignty over health and disease.
* **Botch (Hebrew, _shᵉchîyn_):** This term refers to a severe skin condition, specifically boils, festering sores, or ulcers. It denotes a painful, disfiguring, and often debilitating affliction. The same word is used to describe the boils that afflicted the Egyptians during the plagues ([Exodus 9:9-11](/exodus/9-9-11 "Exodus 9:9-11 - The Plague of Boils")) and the grievous sores that tormented Job ([Job 2:7](/job/2-7 "Job 2:7 - Job's Affliction")). The KJV's "sore botch" aptly conveys the repugnant and painful nature of this disease, highlighting the physical agony of the curse.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs":** This opening clause immediately identifies the divine agent of judgment – Yahweh Himself. The specific mention of "knees" and "legs" points to areas critical for mobility and daily function. Affliction here would severely hinder movement, symbolizing the debilitating nature of disobedience and the inability to "walk" in God's ways. It suggests a loss of strength, stability, and the capacity for normal life.
* **"with a sore botch that cannot be healed":** This describes the nature of the affliction: a grievous, festering skin disease. The addition "that cannot be healed" is profoundly significant, indicating the incurable and divinely imposed nature of the curse. It implies that no human remedy, no matter how skilled or persistent, would be able to alleviate this suffering, underscoring the absolute power and finality of God's judgment and the futility of human efforts against divine decree.
* **"from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head":** This vivid phrase employs a literary device known as merism, signifying totality and comprehensiveness. It means the affliction would cover the entire body, from the lowest extremity to the highest. This emphasizes the pervasive, inescapable, and all-encompassing nature of the suffering, leaving no part of the individual untouched by the consequences of their disobedience. It paints a picture of complete physical devastation and utter helplessness.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:35 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its severe message. The most prominent is **Merism**, seen in the phrase "from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head." This figure of speech uses two contrasting or extreme parts to represent the whole, effectively communicating that the "sore botch" would afflict the entire body, leaving no part untouched. This emphasizes the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the divine judgment. The verse also utilizes **Vivid Imagery**, painting a visceral picture of a debilitating, incurable skin disease, which evokes a strong sense of dread and physical suffering. The direct declaration that "The LORD shall smite thee" is an instance of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like action (smiting) to God, thereby underscoring His active and personal involvement in the execution of the curses. The overall tone carries elements of **Hyperbole** in its extremity, designed to shock and impress upon the hearers the absolute gravity of covenant disobedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:35 stands as a stark testament to the unwavering justice and holiness of God within the Old Covenant framework. It reveals that covenant relationship with Yahweh was not merely a matter of theological assent but demanded practical, obedient living, with clear and severe consequences for deviation. This curse, like others in Deuteronomy, underscores God's sovereignty over all aspects of life, including health and disease, and His commitment to upholding the terms of His covenant. It demonstrates that sin, particularly covenant breaking, is not trivial but incurs divine wrath and tangible suffering. While the specific nature of the curses applied to ancient Israel under the Mosaic Law, the underlying principle of God's just response to rebellion against His will remains a timeless theological truth, highlighting the seriousness of sin and the need for divine grace.

* [Leviticus 26:16](/leviticus/26-16 "Leviticus 26:16 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Isaiah 1:5-6](/isaiah/1-5-6 "Isaiah 1:5-6 - The Nation's Sickness")
* [Revelation 16:2](/revelation/16-2 "Revelation 16:2 - The First Bowl of Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While believers in Christ are no longer under the condemnation of the Mosaic Law, Deuteronomy 28:35 offers profound insights into the character of God and the nature of sin. It reminds us that God is holy, just, and righteous, and that disobedience to His moral will carries serious consequences. Just as physical disease was a tangible outcome of covenant breaking for Israel, so too can spiritual and relational brokenness, emotional distress, and even tangible negative outcomes result from a life lived in rebellion against God's revealed truth. This verse compels us to consider the pervasive nature of sin's effects, which can touch every area of our lives, much like the "sore botch" from head to toe. It calls us to a posture of humility, reverence, and diligent obedience, not out of fear of curses, but out of love for a God who has revealed His perfect will and provided a way of grace. It also deepens our appreciation for the radical grace found in Christ, who bore the ultimate curse on our behalf, offering us freedom from the law's condemnation and the power to walk in newness of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the severity of God's judgment in the Old Testament deepen your appreciation for His grace in the New Testament?**
* **In what ways might spiritual disobedience manifest as "sore botches" or brokenness in our lives or communities today?**
* **How does this verse challenge any tendency to take God's commands or His holiness lightly?**

### FAQ

**Does God still inflict physical diseases as punishment for sin today?**

Answer: While Deuteronomy 28:35 clearly describes God inflicting physical disease as a direct consequence of covenant disobedience for ancient Israel, the New Testament offers a more nuanced perspective for believers. In the New Covenant, Christ has "redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us" ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse")). This means believers are no longer under the condemnation of the law for their sins. While sin can still have natural, negative consequences (e.g., poor choices leading to health issues, or spiritual brokenness affecting well-being), and God may use suffering for discipline or refinement ([Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline")), it is generally not taught that specific diseases are direct, punitive judgments for individual sins in the same way as described in Deuteronomy for Israel. Jesus Himself challenged this direct correlation in [John 9:1-3](/john/9-1-3 "John 9:1-3 - Healing the Man Born Blind"), where He stated that a man's blindness was not due to his or his parents' sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 28:35, with its terrifying depiction of an incurable, all-encompassing "sore botch" as a consequence of sin, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate "botch" that afflicts humanity: sin itself, which is a spiritual disease leading to death and separation from God ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The Wages of Sin")). The Old Covenant curses, including physical ailments, served as a tutor to lead Israel to Christ, revealing the depth of human inability to perfectly keep God's law and the desperate need for a divine remedy. Jesus Christ, the spotless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled the Law and, more profoundly, became the ultimate bearer of the curse for us. As [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Christ Redeems Us from the Curse") declares, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." He bore the full weight of God's righteous judgment against sin, including its devastating consequences, on the cross. Through His stripes, we are healed ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "By His Wounds We Are Healed"); [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "By His Wounds You Were Healed")), not just physically, but spiritually and eternally, offering complete healing from the "botch" of sin and ushering us into a new covenant of grace and life in Him ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "A Superior Covenant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 28:27

The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.

Isaiah 3:17

Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.

Job 2:6

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he [is] in thine hand; but save his life.

Job 2:7

¶ So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

Isaiah 3:24

And it shall come to pass, [that] instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; [and] burning instead of beauty.

Isaiah 1:6

From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it; [but] wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.